Finch Takes Second At National Collegiate Open

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 02/24/2013

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RICHMOND, Va. - Two members of the No. 20 Iowa State
wrestling team (9-4 overall, 1-2 Big 12) earned All-American honors Sunday at
the National Collegiate Open. No. 15 Boaz Beard and Ryak Finch both were tabbed
NCO All-Americans after finishing in the top-six of their respective weight
classes.

Finch, a redshirt sophomore, went 4-1 en route to a second-place
finish at 125 pounds. The Safford, Ariz. native got on a roll early, earning
first period pins in each of his first three matches.

His quarterfinal pin over North Carolina's Brian Bokoski in
26 seconds marks the fastest pin by a Cyclone this season. The 26-second pin by
Finch earned him the No. 10 slot all-time in Iowa State's quickest pins club.

With the four wins today, Finch's overall record on the
season moves to 15-8.

Beard, a redshirt junior, went 3-1 on the day en route to a
sixth-place finish at 184 pounds. The Wichita, Kan. native forfeited his final
two matches of the day. Beard's record on the year moves to 13-6 overall with
his three wins.

Finch and Beard became the first NCO All-Americans in Iowa
State history. The tournament, which began in 2009, has had many distinguished
alumni including NCAA All-Americans David Taylor (Penn State), Robert Hamlin
(Lehigh), Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh), Steve Fittery (American) and Jesse Delgado (Illinois).

Iowa State will be back in action March 8 for the Big 12
Duals in Stillwater, Okla. The Big 12 Championships follow the next day on
March 9.